YMCA of Austin Receives $20,000 Grant to Support Child Care for Essential Workers

YMCA of Austin Receives $20,000 Grant from All Together ATX to Support Child Care for Essential Workers

The YMCA of Austin has received a $20,000 grant from All Together ATX to support child care services for essential workers. Currently, the Y is offering child care for children of healthcare workers, first-responders and all other essential workers at three facilities:

Southwest Family YMCA, located at 6219 Oakclaire Drive & Hwy. 290

East Communities YMCA, located at 5315 Ed Bluestein Blvd. & E. 51st St.

Hays Communities YMCA, located at 465 Buda Sportsplex Dr. in Buda

The grants are the result of a collaboration between the Austin Community Foundation and United Way for Greater Austin. This community-led philanthropic fund is providing flexible resources to nonprofit organizations working with communities who are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and the economic consequences of the outbreak.

“We are grateful to our neighbors for their generosity in contributing funds that will support vital programs that nonprofits like the Y are providing,” said James Finck, YMCA of Austin President &CEO. “And we appreciate the leadership of the Austin Community Foundation and United Way in rallying people to our causes.”

To date, the Fund has awarded $1.8 million in grant funding, which will be disbursed to 97 nonprofits working to support communities experiencing economic and health-related hardships caused by COVID-19 in Central Texas.

“In this time of uncertainty, it’s incredible to witness our community come together and rise to the challenge of supporting our nonprofit sector and the individuals they serve,” said Mike Nellis, Austin Community Foundation Executive Director. “Thanks to this generosity, we are able to quickly deploy substantial funding to organizations helping those struggling to make rent, put food on the table or get proper medical care.”

The Austin Y is offering care for children ages 3-12, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The reduced rate is $150 per week, with additional financial assistance available. Daily rates are also available. During the day, kids will enjoy arts, crafts, exercise, games, movies, snacks and supervision from experienced, expert Y staff. Children will be divided into small groups throughout the Y facilities, and proper social spacing will be maintained at all times.

To ensure the safety of children, families and workers, YMCA staff will be employing the following measures:

Parents are dropping off and picking up children outside the Y facilities

Staff are taking children’s temperatures outside the facility at drop-off

9 children to 1 staff ratio; 10 person limit per room

Adhering to social distancing requirement of 6 feet

Any child showing signs of illness will be separated and parents will be called for pickup

All opinions expressed here are those of their authors and/or contributors and not of their employer. Any questions or concerns regarding the content found here may be sent to info@austinymca.org

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We believe that lasting personal and social change can only come about when we all work together to invest in our kids, our health and our neighbors. As the leading nonprofit committed to helping everyone thrive at each stage of life, we are uniquely positioned to take on new and long-standing challenges more comprehensively than anyone else.

Your support through the YMCA of Austin’s Annual Giving Campaign makes this possible.